Fabrication Space | Center for Functional Fabrics

YARN PREPARATION AREA

Yarn can be modified via winding, covering, and coating. This allows for yarn properties to be customized for optimal performance, manufacturability, and scalability.

WARP KNITTING MACHINE

Warp knitting is produced by a vertically oriented yarn set-up where the fabric is built upwards. Warp knits tend to be a tighter knit with less stretch than weft knits and have a high rate of output.

FLAT WEFT KNITTING MACHINE

Flat-bed weft knitting is created by the inter-looping of yarn, built up sequentially in rows as the yarn travels from side to side. An additive fabrication process with little wasted material and easily scalable, it is well suited for rapid prototyping.

LOOM

Woven fabric is made on a loom by interlacing two distinct sets of yarn at right angles. Sample looms can be used to experiment with weaving novel materials, translate advanced dobby woven designs for scalable production and produce sample designs for validation.

EMBROIDERY MACHINE

The embroidery machine is capable of generating high surface area stitching and automating placement of small electronics. It is an additive process that allows various materials such as threads, wires, tubes, circuit boards, LEDs and more to be attached to a fabric's surface.

CIRCULAR WEFT KNITTING MACHINE

Circular weft knits are made through inter-looping of yarn in a circular direction. It is often used for leggings, athletic wear, and underwear.

YARN STORAGE ROOM

Both synthetic and natural yarns are stored and categorized in these climate-controlled rooms.